AH TV: Kirk Ferentz talks about preparing to face Michigan on Saturday in the Big House
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Kirk Ferentz held his weekly press conference on Tuesday and addressed a number of topics, including the challenge of facing Michigan on Saturday at the Big House in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Iowa hasn't played at the Big House, which has a seating capacity of slightly more than 107,000, since losing 42-17 in 2012.
Ferentz also addressed his team's injury situation and his update was mostly positive. He said that starting left tackle Alaric Jackson practiced well on Tuesday and should be ready to face the Wolverines on Saturday. Jackson has missed the last three games because of a knee sprain that occurred in the first quarter of the season opener against Miami of Ohio.
Ferentz also said defensive backs Kaevon Merriweather and Julius Brents both practiced on Tuesday and should be ready to face the Wolverines. Merriweather started the season opener against Miami of Ohio at free safety, but has missed the last three games because of a foot injury that he sustained in practice, while Brents has yet to play in a game this season.
Ferentz seemed to indicate on Tuesday that sophomore walk-on Jack Koerner has the edge right now over Merriweather after having started the last three games at free safety.
"Right now Koerner has got a 3-1 edge in experience," Ferentz said. "Kaevon came in as the starter, but he came in and played one game. It's not the same discussion as Jackson who's played two years for us now. We know who he is and what he is.
"But you'll see both those guys playing, and the way it's worked out, I think everybody is going to have plenty of opportunity."
The news about senior defensive tackle Brady Reiff and junior cornerback Matt Hankins was not as positive. They both missed practice on Tuesday and are doubtful for Saturday's game, according to Ferentz.
Ferentz also talked about the importance of winning at Michigan in 1981, which was his season season on the Iowa staff and Hayden Fry's third season as the Iowa head coach. Iowa would go on the play in the first of three Rose Bowls under Fry that season.
Here are multiple videos from Ferentz's press conference:
Here are multiple videos from Ferentz's press conference on Tuesday: